Alex Cora is to blame for latest loss
Red Sox frustrations continue in a 5-4 loss to Chicago
Whether this Red Sox team knows it or not they are in a wild card race. Today’s loss to the dreadful 33-45 Chicago White Sox is another reminder that this team always takes a step back just when you think they have it figured out.
James Paxton is not a long term piece, but yet he has to be treated carefully over the next month. Today he left the game with 63 pitches after 4 strong innings with knee soreness that he also apparently experienced in his last start against the Twins.
Paxton has become a key member of the Red Sox rotation for this season, even if that is just until the deadline. He is a piece that will either be a factor into a postseason run or a trade deadline asset. Either way, his health has become the most important aspect of this pitching staff outside of Brayan Bello and his development. Pulling him after four innings makes plenty of sense.
Josh Winckowski came into the fifth inning who has gone from unhittable to a middle reliever at best with a 5.04 ERA this month.
Right handed middle inning options are admittedly thin out in the pen with John Schreiber on the injured list and Justin Garza and Kaleb Ort not being able to be relied on in a one run game.
Winckowski got a ground out to begin but then gave up the go ahead run off a solo shot from Jake Burger at 113 MPH off the bat. He would then proceed to give up a walk, and two more singles before getting out of the jam.
After 20 pitches one would figure that would be the end of him especially after Triston Casas gave Boston the lead back with two-run bomb in the top of the sixth. However, Cora fell asleep at the wheel with a rested bullpen.
It is understood Cora will not chase wins, but at the same he is not afraid to push his arms when he needs extra innings out of them. This should not have been on of these times.
Winckowski was clearly not sharp and had the heart of the White Sox lineup. The Red Sox just took the lead in a low scoring game and Nick Pivetta was available after only throwing 6 pitches last night. Boston was desperate for shutdown inning. Instead Winckowski stays in and gives up two solo home runs to put Chicago in front.
Pivetta is no guarantee to get the job, but Cora never gave him a chance. It is just one game, but the margins are so thin for this team and Cora has to be on top of it for each one. Chaim Bloom deserves criticism for not adding any even waiver wire arms since Schreiber or Tanner Houck went down too.
The offense continues to be horrific on the road, Adam Duvall struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth after Justin Turner tied it up. It was an all around bad Saturday afternoon for the Red Sox, unfortunately this has become a theme every time they look like they’ve have turned a corner.
With the Yankees and Blue Jays winning today the Red Sox will be 2 back of the wild card heading into the game tomorrow. So much for gaining ground during an “easy” series.